Month: June 2013

Like any good traveler, we are concerned about safety. But, when it comes to others visiting our city, it’s important to let them know why it’s not dangerous to wander our streets. Since Veracruz is such an important city, with so much history, it is vital that visitors are able to visit it and feel safe enough to enjoy it without further worry.

Tips when visiting Veracruz:

In Veracruz, like in any other city we must be cautious. Not everything is dangerous and insecure, as long as we adhere to basic personal safety rules we can spend an enjoyable evening between alleys and son.

1. When walking around in the city centre, always do so with your purse, backpack or travel bag fully closed, so as to not catch the attention of pick-pockets.

2.Avoid attention catching items, such as fancy watches or too much jewellery.
3. It is also important, to be aware of our surroundings. Don’t be distracted by your phone or headphones as you wander the streets of an unknown city. Even locals try to avoid it, not only can it cause accidents but it may also put you in a position of vulnerability. Most importantly, as you cross the street; Remember, in all of Mexico, pedestrians aren’t always first.

4.As in any city, it is encouraged to not walk the streets alone after dark. As a stranger to the city, being alone during late night can be dangerous for many reasons. The city often looks different at night, and while you thought you were familiar with it, as night falls this fact may change. Now being lost in a city at night can be very different from being lost in a city during the day, there are less people about which could help you out.

5.When in very touristic places, such as the board-walk or the city plaza, avoid buying non-local products from street vendors. These are usually imported, low quality items that will not have a very long life span. These items are also normally not very representative of our state.

While these tips might seem basic, they are really all you need to be able to enjoy your days in Veracruz. While Mexico as a whole might be getting a bad rep in the news and media, it’s really all concentrated in a world apart from the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

El Salto de Eyipantla is a beautiful waterfall located in Catemaco’s Big River whose fall forms a 40 meter wide and 50 meter high curtain; impressive to anyone lucky enough to see this beauty first hand.

This natural wonder has been important to residents for many years. In pre-Hispanic times El Salto de Eyipantla had a very special meaning; it was considered to be a symbol of “Tlalocan” or “Lord of the Rains.” Around 2000 B.C. everyone, even ladies came up to its crystal waters. Priests and god-men climbed up to see this amazing wonder and it is up there that they believed to receive the blessing from the god “Tlaloc”

This waterfall is the grandest and most spectacular in the entire Los Tuxtlas region. It is surrounded by lush vegetation full of oaks, mangroves, savannas, and many others; all in the vicinity of the los tuxtla biosphere. The animal wildlife is also greatly diverse and abundant, species like the boar, dear, rabbit, possum, and the dwarf leopard are a few of the animals that find their home around this great waterfall. The abundance of life spreads to the skies in this paradise since there are also a great variety of birds among which are the eagle, pheasant, pigeon and many songbirds.

The path leading to the waterfall starts from Comoapan and leads through a narrow path that later becomes a huge concrete staircase with 240 steps built in 1973, which allows a modern day convenience in order to access to the waterfall.

Here is an example of an itinerary created for a traveller who wanted a self-run trip in the heart of Mexico!

Itinerary

This is a self-run trip, during which you will be watched over and advised by local guides in the different destinations you visit. An agent will monitor you, keep in contact and be your adviser along the entire trip.

To keep in contact with our guides we advise you to buy a Telcel mobile phone, which costs less than 20 Euro. With this phone, you can keep in touch with the agent who is in charge of bringing you all the services which you require in Mexico. Once you have settled in Mexico City a little bit, email us your mobile phone number and our agent will contact you.

Day 1

Depart Mexico City for Oaxaca. There are frequent bus departures to Oaxaca,

we recommend ADO GL, which leaves from Mexico TAPO bus station at 9:30 am (Travel time to Oaxaca is 6h30). Arrive at Oaxaca at approximately 3:30 pm. We advise that you buy the bus ticket as soon as you arrive in the city, since it is high season and the buses fill up.

Amatlán

Your agent will confirm your departure and arrival in Oaxaca, with your local guide.

Day 2

Walking tour of the historic city center.

Day off to enjoy the city.

Day 3

Bus transfer toward the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca (2 hrs. trajectory)

Light hike around the forest and an explanation of the flora and fauna with a local guide.

Spend the night in the community cabins.

Lunch and dinner included.

Day 4

Travel to the Amatlán community in order to visit the region and observe how the ecosystems change as you get further away from sea level.

Spend the night in Amatlán.

Zipolite

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included.

Day 5

Depart early for Oaxaca City in order to transfer and arrive at Pochutla and finally enjoy Zipolite beach. Shared van transit (6 hour trajectory)

Spend the night on the beach. The location and services of this hotel are excellent, ideal for enjoying this destinat

ion in complete tranquility.

Day 6, 7 & 8

Days off to enjoy the beach.

Day 9

Depart via bus to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas (5 hr 30 min Trajectory)

You are welcomed by our local guide.

Cañon del Sumindero

Visit Cañón del Sumidero

Spend the night at San Cristóbal de las Casas

Day 10

American style breakfast included.

Tour of San Cristóbal de las Casas, San Juan Chamula & Zinacantán.

Spend the night at San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Day 11

American style breakfast included.

Day off to enjoy San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Spend the night at San Cristóbal de las Casas.

Day 12

American style breakfast included.

Visit the Lakes of Montebello & the El Chiflón Waterfall

Spend the night at San Cristóbal de las Casas

Day 13

Mayan Mural

American style breakfast included.

Depart for Palenque and visit to the archeological site.

Spend the night in Palenque

Day 14

Continental breakfast included.

Visit Bonampak y Yaxchilán

Spend the night in Palenque.

Day 15

Continental breakfast included.

Check out. Transfer in private taxi in order to enjoy Villahermosa and La Venta museum.

Depart for Mexico City on a luxury bus, in order to travel through the night. (10hr30min trajectory)

Would you like us to create a customized itinerary for you? Just contact us and we can make your dream vacation come true!

There are little things more seductive than the edible orchid- an aphrodisiac, the second most expensive spice on earth, the coveted pod from yesteryear, traded by the Aztecs as tax payment: vanilla.

According to a Totonac myth, the tropical orchid was born when Princess Xanat, forbidden by her father from marrying a mortal, fled to the forest with her lover. The lovers were captured and beheaded. The vine of the tropical orchid grew, where their blood touched the ground. The delectable smelling yellow Orchid, known as vainilla planifolia, was first cultivated by the Totonac people, who carefully honed their methods of care for the pods.

Although historically forgotten, vanilla was also mixed with cocoa and other spices as a very valued ingredient in xolocatl, the Aztec potion that exported chocolate to the rest of the world.

Even more appreciated for its value, since it can take years to cultivate and cure, its high prices and fame have led to many products, form candles to ice cream, being infused with artificial vanilla flavoring.

Vanilla represents Mexico’s most ancient inhabitants and culture. It is a symbol of our heritage and uniqueness. Of course, if you wish to taste real vanilla, Papantla, the birthplace of vanilla is the best option.